Ryan Foley wins the 2007 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Omaha Regional

Words: Al Arreguin
/Public/News/20070821163000-1.jpg" width="300" height="200" border="0" alt="The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.">
The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® will be held Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ryan Foley, with Foley Masonry, Hayti, SD, is going to the National by winning the 2007 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Omaha Regional hosted by TCC Materials - Omaha, a SPEC MIX licensee for Nebraska and the surrounding region.

The Regional was held on August 18, at the Omaha, NE, facility of TCC Materials, and drew masons from the state and surrounding area. It was a big day for Foley Masonry, as Ryan and his tender Cory Foley laid 648 brick to lead the pack. Shawn Nelson and his tender Tracy Johnson won the TOP CRAFTSMAN award. The first place winner moves on to the Nationals held on January 23, at the 2008 World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, Nevada.

SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 Oklahoma Regional Results:

1st Place
Mason: Ryan Foley
Tender: Cory Foley
Brick Count: 648
Company: Foley Masonry
Location: Hayti, SD

Craftsmanship
Mason: Shawn Nelson
Tender: Tracy Johnson
Company: DC Masonry
Location: Omaha, NE

2nd Place
Mason: James Yocum
Tender: Aaron McAlpin
Company: K&K Masonry
Location: Omaha, NE

3rd Place
Mason: Wong Antunez
Tender: Gumaro Antunez
Company: Thunn Construction
Location: Omaha, NE
The Craft of Brick Repair: The Difference Between a Coverup and a Solution
June 2026

More often than not, you can walk up to a wall, observe its condition, and get an entire timeline story. How it was built, how footers were set, and where water is routed. After years in the field, I’ve come to understand that brick repair isn’t maintenan

The Benefits of Concealed Lintel Systems in Modern Masonry
June 2026

When looking at iconic structures built throughout history, one of the most recognizable architectural elements is the masonry arch. These arches are not only aesthetically and visually pleasing but also serve as an engineering solution for structural sta

What’s New With CMU: A Closer Look From Ken Rathbun
June 2026

Anyone who’s spending time around CMU jobs today can see the shift. Concrete masonry isn’t just the backup wall; it is the finish on more projects. Thanks in part to the CMU check-off program and a broader focus on design and education, architects and own

Brick & Masonry Aesthetics: Managing Color, Consistency, and Architectural Expectations
June 2026

Brick and masonry remain among the most admired architectural materials in the world because of their natural beauty and authenticity. Masonry possesses depth, variation, texture, permanence, and character that synthetic cladding systems often struggle to